I will not be posting for awhile. My wife and I have been going through some very difficult times since we left our last church pastorate. I would rather not go into detail at this time, although I may in the future.
There are many things that are currently distracting and many hurts from the past that need healing. I have been advised by a good friend to perhaps consider taking a sabbatical for a period of prayer and reflection, which I am inclined to do so at this time.
Please pray for us as we wait on God for healing, guidance, and direction. Thank all of you who have posted here; it has been a pleasure getting to know you and praying for you as well.
For those of you who have our phone number, please do not call at this time. I don’t have any answers for you, so just pray for us.
God bless and keep you all in His tender care…
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wisdom from Spurgeon...
Matthew 27:51: Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
No mean miracle was wrought in the rending of so strong and thick a veil; but it was not intended merely as a display of power-many lessons were herein taught us. The old law of ordinances was put away, and like a worn-out vesture, rent and laid aside. When Jesus died, the sacrifices were all finished, because all fulfilled in Him, and therefore the place of their presentation was marked with an evident token of decay. That rent also revealed all the hidden things of the old dispensation: the mercy-seat could now be seen, and the glory of God gleamed forth above it. By the death of our Lord Jesus we have a clear revelation of God, for He was "not as Moses, who put a veil over his face." Life and immortality are now brought to light, and things which have been hidden since the foundation of the world are manifest in Him. The annual ceremony of atonement was thus abolished. The atoning blood which was once every year sprinkled within the veil, was now offered once for all by the great High Priest, and therefore the place of the symbolical rite was broken up. No blood of bullocks or of lambs is needed now, for Jesus has entered within the veil with his own blood. Hence access to God is now permitted, and is the privilege of every believer in Christ Jesus. There is no small space laid open through which we may peer at the mercy-seat, but the rent reaches from the top to the bottom. We may come with boldness to the throne of the heavenly grace. Shall we err if we say that the opening of the Holy of Holies in this marvellous manner by our Lord's expiring cry was the type of the opening of the gates of paradise to all the saints by virtue of the Passion? Our bleeding Lord hath the key of heaven; He openeth and no man shutteth; let us enter in with Him into the heavenly places, and sit with Him there till our common enemies shall be made His footstool.
No mean miracle was wrought in the rending of so strong and thick a veil; but it was not intended merely as a display of power-many lessons were herein taught us. The old law of ordinances was put away, and like a worn-out vesture, rent and laid aside. When Jesus died, the sacrifices were all finished, because all fulfilled in Him, and therefore the place of their presentation was marked with an evident token of decay. That rent also revealed all the hidden things of the old dispensation: the mercy-seat could now be seen, and the glory of God gleamed forth above it. By the death of our Lord Jesus we have a clear revelation of God, for He was "not as Moses, who put a veil over his face." Life and immortality are now brought to light, and things which have been hidden since the foundation of the world are manifest in Him. The annual ceremony of atonement was thus abolished. The atoning blood which was once every year sprinkled within the veil, was now offered once for all by the great High Priest, and therefore the place of the symbolical rite was broken up. No blood of bullocks or of lambs is needed now, for Jesus has entered within the veil with his own blood. Hence access to God is now permitted, and is the privilege of every believer in Christ Jesus. There is no small space laid open through which we may peer at the mercy-seat, but the rent reaches from the top to the bottom. We may come with boldness to the throne of the heavenly grace. Shall we err if we say that the opening of the Holy of Holies in this marvellous manner by our Lord's expiring cry was the type of the opening of the gates of paradise to all the saints by virtue of the Passion? Our bleeding Lord hath the key of heaven; He openeth and no man shutteth; let us enter in with Him into the heavenly places, and sit with Him there till our common enemies shall be made His footstool.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Domestic Violence within the Church - Chuck Colson
A woman I'll call "Marleen" went to her pastor for help. "My husband is abusing me," she told him. "Last week he knocked me down and kicked me. He broke one of my ribs."
Marleen's pastor was sympathetic. He prayed with Marleen-and then he sent her home. "Try to be more submissive," he advised. "After all, your husband is your spiritual head."
Two weeks later, Marleen was dead-killed by an abusive husband. Her church could not believe it. Marleen's husband was a Sunday school teacher and a deacon. How could he have done such a thing?
Tragically, studies reveal that spousal abuse is just as common within the evangelical churches as anywhere else. This means that about 25 percent of Christian homes witness abuse of some kind.
These numbers may shock you-and they certainly shocked me-so you may be wondering if the studies were done by secular researchers hostile to the church. I can assure you, sadly, they were not.
Denise George, a gifted writer and the wife of theologian Timothy George, has published a new book called What Women Wish Pastors Knew. "Spouse abuse shocks us," George writes. "We just cannot believe that a church deacon or member goes home after worship . . . and beats his wife." Tragically, however, George notes, some of these men justify their violence "by citing biblical passages."
Well, obviously they're misinterpreting Scripture. In Ephesians 5:22, husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church; beating wives black-and-blue hardly constitutes Christian love. First Peter tells husbands to live with their wives considerately. And the Bible makes it clear that the church has no business closing its eyes to violent men. In 1 Timothy 3:3, the church is told that when it comes to choosing leaders, they must find men who are "not violent but gentle," sober, and temperate.
The amount of domestic abuse in Christian homes is horrifying, and the church ought to be doing something about it-not leaving the problem to secular agencies. But this is one mission field where the church is largely missing in action. And sometimes pastors, albeit with good intentions, do more harm than good.
George sites a survey in which nearly 6,000 pastors were asked how they would counsel women who came to them for help with domestic violence. Twenty-six percent would counsel them the same way Marleen's pastor did: to continue to "submit" to her husband, no matter what. Twenty-five percent told wives the abuse was their own fault-for failing to submit in the first place. Astonishingly, 50 percent said women should be willing to "tolerate some level of violence" because it is better than divorce.
Advice like this, George warns, often puts women "in grave danger"-and in some cases, can be a death warrant.
Pastors need to acknowledge that domestic abuse in the church is a problem, and learn how to counsel women wisely.
Stay tuned for more on this subject-one the church has not said enough about.
Obviously, Christians must uphold the sanctity of marriage. But we should never ignore the dangers of violent spouses-men who use the Bible to justify abusing, and even killing, their wives.
Marleen's pastor was sympathetic. He prayed with Marleen-and then he sent her home. "Try to be more submissive," he advised. "After all, your husband is your spiritual head."
Two weeks later, Marleen was dead-killed by an abusive husband. Her church could not believe it. Marleen's husband was a Sunday school teacher and a deacon. How could he have done such a thing?
Tragically, studies reveal that spousal abuse is just as common within the evangelical churches as anywhere else. This means that about 25 percent of Christian homes witness abuse of some kind.
These numbers may shock you-and they certainly shocked me-so you may be wondering if the studies were done by secular researchers hostile to the church. I can assure you, sadly, they were not.
Denise George, a gifted writer and the wife of theologian Timothy George, has published a new book called What Women Wish Pastors Knew. "Spouse abuse shocks us," George writes. "We just cannot believe that a church deacon or member goes home after worship . . . and beats his wife." Tragically, however, George notes, some of these men justify their violence "by citing biblical passages."
Well, obviously they're misinterpreting Scripture. In Ephesians 5:22, husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church; beating wives black-and-blue hardly constitutes Christian love. First Peter tells husbands to live with their wives considerately. And the Bible makes it clear that the church has no business closing its eyes to violent men. In 1 Timothy 3:3, the church is told that when it comes to choosing leaders, they must find men who are "not violent but gentle," sober, and temperate.
The amount of domestic abuse in Christian homes is horrifying, and the church ought to be doing something about it-not leaving the problem to secular agencies. But this is one mission field where the church is largely missing in action. And sometimes pastors, albeit with good intentions, do more harm than good.
George sites a survey in which nearly 6,000 pastors were asked how they would counsel women who came to them for help with domestic violence. Twenty-six percent would counsel them the same way Marleen's pastor did: to continue to "submit" to her husband, no matter what. Twenty-five percent told wives the abuse was their own fault-for failing to submit in the first place. Astonishingly, 50 percent said women should be willing to "tolerate some level of violence" because it is better than divorce.
Advice like this, George warns, often puts women "in grave danger"-and in some cases, can be a death warrant.
Pastors need to acknowledge that domestic abuse in the church is a problem, and learn how to counsel women wisely.
Stay tuned for more on this subject-one the church has not said enough about.
Obviously, Christians must uphold the sanctity of marriage. But we should never ignore the dangers of violent spouses-men who use the Bible to justify abusing, and even killing, their wives.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Update on Rachel, 5
Rachel is still in the hospital. We do not know when she will come home or go back to work. Please continue to pray...
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Update on Rachel, 4
Rachel is doing better, but is expected to remain in the hospital for 2 or 3 more days. She had a very good meeting with her doctor and has had several opportunities to share her faith with others.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Update on Rachel, 3
The meeting with her counselor went well (he is not a believer). She thinks that she will be home on Monday; however,she is upset because she will not be with us for Easter. Thank you all for your prayers.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Update on Rachel
Rachel is doing better. They have adjusted her medication and it seems to be working. She will probably get to come home on Monday. Thank you all for praying.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Diplomats or Prophets?
“We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.” A. W. Tozer
Now those of you who know me know that I am a big fan of A.W. Tozer. He lived from 1897 to 1963 and within 5 years of his conversion, he was asked to pastor his first church. He had no formal education. He was a diligent student of the bible and was described by one as a “Spirit taught man.” He never owned a car and signed away most of the proceeds from his books to the poor. He truly lived that which he taught.
It was said of him by Harley Howard, “A. W Tozer, unquestionably one of the greatest men who ever preached the Bible, was a man ridiculed while he lived because he was so ‘out of touch’ with the religious establishment around him. What made him so ‘out of touch’ with those around him was the fact that he was so ‘in touch’ with God.”
Clearly, if one will read his writings, they will see that Tozer was indeed in touch with God.
The above quote by Tozer, written sometime in the 1950’s, is still contemporary today. Tozer saw many pastors (so-called) of his day attempting to make the gospel more attractive; unfortunately, in their attempt to attract the world, they watered down the gospel in the process, making their message of no effect.
Today, some 50-60 years after he wrote, we see the same in the church (so-called) today. (I say so-called because many who call themselves “Christian Churches” clearly are teaching a different gospel, another Jesus, and another Spirit and therefore are not part of the true church (see Matthew 7:21-23).
There is no connection between the Church and the world (the world system in rebellion to God and those who are part of it). Paul the Apostle, writing to the Corinthians said, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). One would think that his words (inspired by the Holy Spirit) would be clear enough for all; however, that is not the case.
There are “movements” within the church (so-called) today as which Tozer wrote, that are trying to “make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education.”
The church is not for the world. The church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head, Colossians 1:18: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
To make the church “palatable” to the world is to attempt to unite “righteousness with lawlessness,” “light with darkness,” and “Christ with Belial" (worthlessness, wickedness). Yet this is what many in the “Church Growth Movement” are doing today.
Does this mean that we are not to invite those who don’t know Jesus to church? Of course not! What is does mean is that when we invite them we are not to water down the message to make them more comfortable; rather, we are to proclaim the truth of the message of the Gospel. Our responsibility is as Tozer said, “We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.”
Anything less is compromise, and therefore sin.
Now those of you who know me know that I am a big fan of A.W. Tozer. He lived from 1897 to 1963 and within 5 years of his conversion, he was asked to pastor his first church. He had no formal education. He was a diligent student of the bible and was described by one as a “Spirit taught man.” He never owned a car and signed away most of the proceeds from his books to the poor. He truly lived that which he taught.
It was said of him by Harley Howard, “A. W Tozer, unquestionably one of the greatest men who ever preached the Bible, was a man ridiculed while he lived because he was so ‘out of touch’ with the religious establishment around him. What made him so ‘out of touch’ with those around him was the fact that he was so ‘in touch’ with God.”
Clearly, if one will read his writings, they will see that Tozer was indeed in touch with God.
The above quote by Tozer, written sometime in the 1950’s, is still contemporary today. Tozer saw many pastors (so-called) of his day attempting to make the gospel more attractive; unfortunately, in their attempt to attract the world, they watered down the gospel in the process, making their message of no effect.
Today, some 50-60 years after he wrote, we see the same in the church (so-called) today. (I say so-called because many who call themselves “Christian Churches” clearly are teaching a different gospel, another Jesus, and another Spirit and therefore are not part of the true church (see Matthew 7:21-23).
There is no connection between the Church and the world (the world system in rebellion to God and those who are part of it). Paul the Apostle, writing to the Corinthians said, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). One would think that his words (inspired by the Holy Spirit) would be clear enough for all; however, that is not the case.
There are “movements” within the church (so-called) today as which Tozer wrote, that are trying to “make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education.”
The church is not for the world. The church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head, Colossians 1:18: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
To make the church “palatable” to the world is to attempt to unite “righteousness with lawlessness,” “light with darkness,” and “Christ with Belial" (worthlessness, wickedness). Yet this is what many in the “Church Growth Movement” are doing today.
Does this mean that we are not to invite those who don’t know Jesus to church? Of course not! What is does mean is that when we invite them we are not to water down the message to make them more comfortable; rather, we are to proclaim the truth of the message of the Gospel. Our responsibility is as Tozer said, “We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.”
Anything less is compromise, and therefore sin.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday Spurgeon...
Luke 23:26: On Him they laid the cross, that He might bear it after Jesus.
We see in Simon's carrying the cross a picture of the work of the Church throughout all generations; she is the cross-bearer after Jesus. Mark then, Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer. But let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that in our case, as in Simon's, it is not our cross, but Christ's cross which we carry. When you are molested for your piety; when your religion brings the trial of cruel mockings upon you, then remember it is not your cross, it is Christ's cross; and how delightful is it to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus! You carry the cross after Him. You have blessed company; your path is marked with the footprints of your Lord. The mark of His blood-red shoulder is upon that heavy burden. 'Tis His cross, and He goes before you as a shepherd goes before his sheep. Take up your cross daily, and follow Him. Do not forget, also, that you bear this cross in partnership. It is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the cross, and not the whole of it. That is very possible; Christ may have carried the heavier part, against the transverse beam, and Simon may have borne the lighter end. Certainly it is so with you; you do but carry the light end of the cross, Christ bore the heavier end. And remember, though Simon had to bear the cross for a very little while, it gave him lasting honour. Even so the cross we carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross, and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
We see in Simon's carrying the cross a picture of the work of the Church throughout all generations; she is the cross-bearer after Jesus. Mark then, Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer. But let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that in our case, as in Simon's, it is not our cross, but Christ's cross which we carry. When you are molested for your piety; when your religion brings the trial of cruel mockings upon you, then remember it is not your cross, it is Christ's cross; and how delightful is it to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus! You carry the cross after Him. You have blessed company; your path is marked with the footprints of your Lord. The mark of His blood-red shoulder is upon that heavy burden. 'Tis His cross, and He goes before you as a shepherd goes before his sheep. Take up your cross daily, and follow Him. Do not forget, also, that you bear this cross in partnership. It is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the cross, and not the whole of it. That is very possible; Christ may have carried the heavier part, against the transverse beam, and Simon may have borne the lighter end. Certainly it is so with you; you do but carry the light end of the cross, Christ bore the heavier end. And remember, though Simon had to bear the cross for a very little while, it gave him lasting honour. Even so the cross we carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross, and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
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